Information about Blood Groups

O- has an amazing power to save anyone in need of a blood transfusion. Donors with this powerful blood type are called the universal donor because their red blood cells can be transfused into any patient, regardless of the recipient’s blood type. Only 7% of the population has O- blood, yet it is the blood type in the highest demand.

When seconds count, emergency room doctors often do not have time to determine the blood type of the patient and will depend on O- blood to help save the person’s life. O- blood is also vital for premature babies and cancer patients.

Preferred Donation Method(s):

Double Red Blood Cell Donation Whole Blood Donation

The Power of O-

Percentage of Population : 7%

Blood Types you Can Receive : O-

Patients Who Can Receive Your Red Cells : Anyone

Patients Who Can Receive Your Platelets : O-, O+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Plasma : O-, O+

O+ is the most common blood type and that is what makes it so powerful.

37% of the population has O+ blood. Since more people have O+ blood than any other blood type, it is transfused more often.

Having the most popular blood puts O+ donors in a unique situation. Their red blood cells are needed and so too are their platelets. This reality means O+ donors have three different donation options.

Preferred Donation Method(s):

Double Red Blood Cell Donation Whole Blood Donation Platelet Donation

The Power of O+

Percentage of Population : 37%

Blood Types you Can Receive : O+, O-

Patients Who Can Receive Your Red Cells : O+, A+, B+, AB+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Platelets : O+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Plasma : O+, O-

A- blood is rare and powerful. Only 6% of the population has A- blood. Every two seconds someone needs blood. The need is so constant that donated blood is often transfused within three days of your donation.

The most powerful part of A- blood can be found in the red blood cells. To maximize your true lifesaving power, A- donors are strongly encouraged to donate double red blood cells or whole blood.

Preferred Donation Method(s):

Double Red Blood Cell Donation Whole Blood Donation

The Power of A-

Percentage of Population : 6%

Blood Types you Can Receive : A-, O-

Patients Who Can Receive Your Red Cells : A+, A-, AB+, AB-

Patients Who Can Receive Your Platelets : A+, A-, O+, O-

Patients Who Can Receive Your Plasma : A+, A-, O+, O-

A+ is a powerful blood type because it is the second most common blood type. Since 36% of the population is A+ it is among the blood types transfused most often.

The most powerful part of A+ blood can be found in the platelets. Platelets can be donated as often as every seven days and up to 24 times a year. Platelets are in high demand by hospitals and often help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Red blood cells from A+ donors also hold lifesaving power.

Preferred Donation Method(s):

Platelet Donation Whole Blood Donation

The Power of A+

Percentage of Population : 36%

Blood Types you Can Receive : A+, A-, O+, O-

Patients Who Can Receive Your Red Cells : A+, AB+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Platelets : A+, O+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Plasma : A+, A-, O+, O-

B- blood is rare and powerful. Only 2% of the population has B- blood. Every two seconds, someone needs blood. The need is so constant that donated blood is often transfused within three days of your donation.

The most powerful part of B- blood can be found in the red blood cells. To maximize your true lifesaving power, all B- donors are strongly encouraged to donate double red blood cells or whole blood.

Preferred Donation Method(s):

Double Red Blood Cell Donation Whole Blood Donation

The Power of B-

Percentage of Population : 2%

Blood Types you Can Receive : B-, O-

Patients Who Can Receive Your Red Cells : B-, B+ AB-, AB+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Platelets : B-, B+, O-, O+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Plasma : B-, B+, O-, O+

B+ is a rare blood type that holds tremendous power. Only 8% of the population has B+ blood. B+ blood donors have two ways of targeting the power of their donation.

The most preferred donation method is to donate platelets. Platelets can be donated as often as every seven days and up to 24 times a year. Platelets are in high demand by hospitals and often help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Red blood cells from B+ donors also hold lifesaving power.

Preferred Donation Method(s):

Platelet Donation Whole Blood Donation

The Power of B+

Percentage of Population : 8%

Blood Types you Can Receive : B-, B+, O-, O+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Red Cells : B+, AB+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Platelets : B+, O+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Plasma : B-, B+, O-, O+

AB- is the rarest of all the blood types with only 1% of the population sharing this special power. Donors who are AB- are the universal platelet and plasma donor because these components can be transfused into any patient, regardless of the recipient’s blood type.

To maximize your true lifesaving power, AB- donors are strongly encouraged to donate platelets and plasma through an automated process known as apheresis.

Preferred Donation Method(s):

Plasma Donation Platelet Donation

The Power of AB-

Percentage of Population : 1%

Blood Types you Can Receive : AB-, A-, B-, O-

Patients Who Can Receive Your Red Cells : AB-, AB+

Patients Who Can Receive Your Platelets : Anyone

Patients Who Can Receive Your Plasma : Anyone

AB+ is one of the rarest of all the blood types with only 3% of the population sharing this power. Donors who are AB+ are called the universal plasma donor because this component can be transfused into any patient, regardless of the recipient’s blood type.

In addition to your plasma, platelets from AB+ donors are also compatible with several other blood types, making them in high demand by local hospitals.

To maximize your true lifesaving power, AB+ donors are strongly encouraged to donate plasma as well as platelets through an automated procedure known as apheresis.